By: Ajuzie Chizoba
Imo House of Assembly considers Kennedy Ibeh’s motion on medical detention
………. Urges Governor Uzodimma to direct the health ministry to develop strategy to curb menace .
By: Ajuzie chizoba
In its efforts to alleviate the health challenges confronting Imolites especially among those who cannot afford conventional medical treatment or hospital bills occasioning detention after admission, treatment and recovery the state legislature on Thursday May 23, 2024, passed a resolution, urging the Governor, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma to immediately direct the authorities of the Health Ministry to urgently develop and deliver a programme that will curb the menace of “Medical Detention” in the state.
This was sequel to a motion brought before the legislators at plenary.
Presenting the motion before his colleagues, the former Speaker and Representative of Obowo State Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Barr) Kennedy Ibeh, said, “whereas the Imo State Ministry of Health was established and saddled with the responsibility of providing and implementing policies and strategies that should guarantee the health care of Imo State populace, and also to regulate the healthcare market within the state.
There is an overall emergency for the ministry to urgently develop a policy that would curb medical detention at the directive or prompting of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
The Chief sponsor took into consideration, the prevailing plight and predicament of Imo citizens who as a result of hardship, hunger and poverty which are presently ravaging the state to move the motion.
He observed that many patients after admission and recuperation in the hospitals could hardly pay their medical bills as a result the medical officers and other personnel detain them for as long as they can’t settle such medical bills.
Many victims he recounted, while waiting for either parents, guardians children or sibling to source or raise money to settle such accumulated medical bills, had run the risk of contacting other contagious diseases and epidemic, while waiting to be discharged after settling arrears of hospital bills.
He therefore challenged both the Governor and the Ministry of Health to fashion out a method of alleviating or ameliorating such trauma on the citizens.
His motion was co-sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu, Kanayo Onyemaechi and nine (9) others.
